Well said. We went from a Golf TDI that we got an average of about 45 mpg to this gas guzzler. I've done my time for the enviroment after six VW's. and a Saturn: although I did have a Range Rover Cassic for a while as well as a 1975 Land Rover. You cant tow an Airstream with a bicycle. Or can you?

I've been thinking of adding a cold air intake and a throttle body spacer. A few places I've been to on the web have indicated about a .5 to 1 mpg improvement and seat of pants folks say throttle response is also up with these two toys. Anyone done either or both that can comment on a truck?

I'm amazed at how little mpg's have improved in almost 20 years for gas engines.
My carburated, 3spd auto, 3.73 '86 2500 Suburban 454/7.4L gets 8.5-9mpg towing 5600lb car hauler, loaded.
Newer ones are getting a tad more than that but I don't have a loan payment or full coverage insurance. I'm curious how toaster drops only 1mpg towing. I get 8-9mpg daily mixed use, and11.5 mpg highway, same as him but only 8.5-9mpg towing at 65mph. I'd be ecstatic if I got anything over 10.0mpg towing!
Whats the secret?

running interstate speeds I get 12.5 mpg towing a 34' with my old dodge cummings. I can get 22 solo. The ford excursion powerstroke pulling the same rig ( we took a 7000 mile trip together) gets about 1 mpg better pulling hard (rocky mountains) and about 1 mpg less pulling of level ground. I would think that you could get 13.5-15 mpg pulling the safari.

I'd be ecstatic if I got anything over 10.0mpg towing!
Whats the secret?

I notice big mpg improvements at low altitude and below 62mph.
My mileage drops to 10.5 or so when I go to altitudes over 400ft, and try and keep a speed over 65mph.
Trailering speed limit in CA is 55mph, and the altitude where I usually go is zip, nada, maybe 100ft or so. I get up to 12.5 mpg
Up to 1500ft, nothing changes, then i notice the truck getting slower, and the mileage dropping.

I get 12.5 pulling a 34' with my Dodge 22 mpg solo. My friend pulled a similar rig with his 454 chevy 4door and got 7.5. He switched to an excursion powerstroke (2001) and gets the same mileage as I do, but with more power than my 92 dodge. Our rigs weigh in just under 10k lbs. I would think you should get 13.5-15 mpg or better

I get 12.5 pulling a 34' with my Dodge 22 mpg solo. My friend pulled a similar rig with his 454 chevy 4door and got 7.5. He switched to an excursion powerstroke (2001) and gets the same mileage as I do, but with more power than my 92 dodge. Our rigs weigh in just under 10k lbs. I would think you should get 13.5-15 mpg or better

I must be doing something right, I'm just not sure what it is! I'm getting a hair over 15mpg pulling my '72 Overlander with an '04 Toyota 4-Runner AWD, V8, high-test gas, 55mph, sea-level with a few mountains here and there.

I've been thinking of adding a cold air intake and a throttle body spacer. A few places I've been to on the web have indicated about a .5 to 1 mpg improvement and seat of pants folks say throttle response is also up with these two toys. Anyone done either or both that can comment on a truck?

I had a Chevy w/454 1998 pickup 4x4. I put high output plug wires, plugs, dist cap and rotor and a high output spark controller. The truck got about 1 more mile per gallon. Probably a AEM air intake would help.
Hippo

I agree with sticking with the diesel. I consistently get 12 mpg towing my 30' Excella with my '02 Ford F-350 PSD. The only negative about a diesel that I've found is a lack of engine compression braking going down long steep hills, but I've learned to fine tune my driving habits (lower gear, firm short stabs at the brake) to compensate for that.

The wife said if you have to worry about MPH then you can't afford to drive the thing or have any AS fun camping. Her words are sell the thing and stay home. She said she would buy a small motorhome for her and the dogs and I can stay home and stew about MPG.
Hippo

The new 6.0 PSD has an amazing transmission that is easily manipulable to get an engine braking effect. We strongly recommend it. Towing our 9100 lb. Safari 28SO we're getting 13.5+; 12.5 in the mountains. Can't recommend it strongly enough. It has great acceleration, runs very smoothly and the noise isn't very bad. We love it.

Tom, and Frank.

Quote:

Originally Posted by takenitez

I agree with sticking with the diesel. I consistently get 12 mpg towing my 30' Excella with my '02 Ford F-350 PSD. The only negative about a diesel that I've found is a lack of engine compression braking going down long steep hills, but I've learned to fine tune my driving habits (lower gear, firm short stabs at the brake) to compensate for that.